Bi-lateral body weight support system

ABSTRACT

An exercise and therapeutic device having a patient support suspended upon a pneumatic spring. The pneumatic spring is extendable and retractable over an operative extension range during a patient treatment session. The operative extension range includes a low level oscillation range such as occurs when a patient runs on a treadmill and a high level oscillation range such as when a patient performs kneebends, squats, hops and jumps. The pneumatic spring is adapted to impart continuous upward force upon the patient support during a treatment session in a manner so that the upward force has a substantially hyperbolic magnitude across both the low level oscillation range and the high level oscillation range. The pneumatic spring includes a piston reciprocatingly and sealingly engaged within a cylinder. The piston divides the cylinder into two variable chambers. An accumulator is in fluid communication with one of the variable volume chambers of the cylinder for increasing the effective air volume of the cylinder within which the piston operates. The accumulator forms an enveloping sleeve about the cylinder. A pressure gauge is placed in fluid communication with the pneumatic spring and is calibrated to display the magnitude of the upward force being applied to the patient support by the pneumatic spring. The cylinder has one or more direct port(s) to the accumulator for facilitating the exchange of air between the cylinder and the accumulator. The direct port has a diameter of at least three-eighths of an inch which serves to minimize damping effects caused by the direct port&#39;s narrowed passage between the cylinder and the accumulator.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is a Continuation Application ofapplication Ser. No. 09/791,166 filed Feb. 22, 2001 which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/184,134 filed Feb. 22,2000. Said applications are hereby expressly incorporated by referencein their entireties into the present application.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] Apparatus for supporting all or a portion of a subject's bodyweight during therapy are known. Reference is made to the WOODWAY LokoSystemÂ® illustrated in FIG. 1. The WOODWAY system employs a single pairof cable assemblies 100 supported by fixed support arms 110 which extendover a treadmill 120. The support arms 110 maintain the cable assemblies100 at a fixed distance apart. The ability to tailor the distancebetween the cables 100 to the particular subject 140 is not provided.Each cable assembly 100 incorporates a winch 130 for assisting ininitial positioning of the subject 140 and a scale 150 for estimatingthe subject's 140 weight. Hoisting the subject 140 into positionrequires coordinated operation of the manual winches 130 by an operator160. Determining the weight of the subject 140 requires that the subject140 remain still over the period of time required to consult both scales150. The illustrated system provides only a hard limit support at thefull extension of the scales 150 and employs the scales 150 in a supportrole not typically intended for commercially available scales of thetype illustrated. As illustrated it is apparent that the therapist(s)160 will typically attend the subject 140 during use of the equipment.In order to control either the treadmill 120 or the support apparatus, atherapist/operator 160 would have to divert their attention away fromthe subject 140.

[0003] Reference is also made to Applicant's pending application forU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/021,554 for EXERCISE ANDREHABILITATION APPARATUS AND METHOD filed Feb. 10, 1998, which is herebyfully incorporated by reference. In the referenced application, anexercise and therapeutic device providing a subject with support via apneumatic spring assembly is disclosed. The pneumatic spring assemblyovercomes drawbacks of hard limit body weight support devices such asthe WOODWAY device. The invention of the referenced application alsoprovides an operator with control of pneumatic pressure, but as withcontrol of the treadmill in the WOODWAY system, a therapist operatorwould have to divert their attention away from the subject.

[0004] In light of the characteristics of the background art describedabove, there exists a need for a body weight support apparatus whichprovides: improved ability to hoist the subject into and out ofposition; improved weight measurement; variable separation betweensupport cables; and a degree of control of the treadmill and supportapparatus without a therapist/operator having to divert attention awayfrom the subject.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0005] In the disclosed embodiment, the present invention alleviates thedrawbacks described above with respect to the known body weight supportsystems.

[0006] The body weight support apparatus of the current inventionconsists of a frame; a hoist subsystem attached to the frame andoperable for positioning a subject on the treadmill; a two-cablepneumatic spring support subsystem also attached to said frame andoperable for providing bilateral resilient support to a subject on thetreadmill; a frame orientation control subsystem attached to the frameand adapted to control the distance between the support cables.

[0007] The general beneficial effects described above apply generally toeach of the exemplary descriptions and characterizations of the devicesand mechanisms disclosed herein. The specific structures through whichthese benefits are delivered will be described in detail hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] In the following, the invention will be described in greaterdetail by way of examples and with reference to the attached drawings,in which:

[0009]FIG. 1 is an illustration of the Woodway background art device.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the screw assembly and control bar ofthe present invention.

[0013]FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the cable separation indicator of thepresent invention.

[0014]FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the screw assembly of the presentinvention.

[0015]FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the lower hoist rope pulley withslave cylinder of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 8 is a view of the interface panel of the voice control ofthe present invention.

[0017]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0018]FIG. 10 is a view of the attachment means for attaching the strutsto the frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention aredisclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosedembodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodiedin various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily toscale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details ofparticular components. Therefore, specific structural and functionaldetails disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, butmerely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis forteaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the presentinvention.

[0020] Furthermore, elements may be recited as being “coupled”; thisterminology's use contemplates elements being connected together in sucha way that there may be other components interstitially located betweenthe specified elements, and that the elements so specified may beconnected in fixed or movable relation one to the other. Certaincomponents may be described as being “adjacent” to one another. In theseinstances, it is expected that a relationship so characterized shall beinterpreted to mean that the components are located proximate to oneanother, but not necessarily in contact with each other. Normally therewill be an absence of other components positioned therebetween, but thisis not a requirement. Still further, some structural relationships ororientations may be designated with the word “substantially”. In thosecases, it is meant that the relationship or orientation is as described,with allowances for variations that do not effect the cooperation of theso described component or components.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 2 through 7, a preferred embodiment of thebilateral body weight support 200 of the present invention is shown. Theillustrated embodiment consist of (1) a frame and (2) a hoist, support,and control (HSC) assembly.

[0022] The frame consists of a base 210, two fixed members 220, 221; twomovable angled members 230, 235, and accompanying struts 240, 241, 242,243. The base 210 is a ladder frame adapted to extend horizontally undera treadmill 120. The two (2) fixed members 220, 221 are attached atopposite sides of the base 210 near one end of the base 210 and orientedsubstantially vertical. Supplemental support to is provided by two (2)first struts 240, 241 each extending from the base 210 to a point on acorresponding fixed member 220, 221. Each movable angled member 230, 235consists of a lower portion 231, 236 substantially coaxial with the axisof a corresponding fixed member 220, 221 and an upper portion 232, 237extending over the base 210. The movable angled members 230, 235 areadapted to be pivotable about the axis of the angled member's 230, 235lower portion 231, 236. Two (2) second struts 242, 243 providesupplementary support to corresponding movable angled members 230, 235by extending from a point on a movable angled member's 230, 235 upperportion 232, 237 to a point on that movable angled members 230, 235corresponding fixed member 220, 221.

[0023] The HSC assembly consists of an housing 340, a hoist subsystem, apneumatic spring support subsystem, and an angled members orientationcontrol subsystem. The operation of individual support cables 300, 301in conjunction with a pneumatic spring is described in detail inApplicant's pending application for U.S. patent Ser. No. 09/021,554.Generally, a pneumatic spring in conjunction with support cables 300,301, provides resilient support to the subject 140 during use of atreadmill 120. The pneumatic spring support subsystem of the currentinvention removes the need for the spreader bar disclosed in the pendingapplication by using a pair of support cables 300, 301 connected to apair of independent pneumatic springs. In the present invention, thepneumatic springs are deployed within the fixed 220, 221 of the frame.Each support cable 300, 301, in mechanical communication with itscorresponding pneumatic spring is threaded through its correspondingfixed and angled frame members 220, 221, 230, 235 then over a supportcable pulley 320, 321 disposed near the distal end of the angled members230, 235. Each support cable 300, 301 is terminated with hardwaresuitable for attaching the support cable to a harness to be worn by thesubject 140. One pneumatic spring support subsystem measurement device330, 331, adapted to display a measurement corresponding to the pressurein each pneumatic spring interfaces with each pneumatic spring. Thepneumatic spring support subsystem measurement devices 330, 331 andassociated interface hardware are contained within the housing 340.

[0024] The hoist subsystem includes a pair of hoist ropes 350, 351, awinch 380, a scale 380, three (3) sets of pulleys 306A, 360B, 361, 362and associated interconnection hardware. In the illustrated embodiment,a manually operated winch 370, mounted in conjunction with the HSChousing 340, holds two (2) lengths of hoist rope 350, 351 which aredisposed around two double-channel pulleys 361, 362 mounted at theinterior face of the HSC housing 340. One of the double channel pulleys361 is connected to a slave cylinder in communication with the scale 380for indicating the tension applied to the hoist ropes 350, 351. Theslave cylinder arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 7. Each hoist rope350, 351 is further disposed around a separate single-channel pulley360A, 360B at the distal end of each movable angled members 230, 235.Each hoist rope 350, 351 is terminated with hardware suitable forattaching the hoist rope 350, 351 to a harness worn by the subject 140.

[0025] The angled members orientation control subsystem includes a screwassembly 370, a control plate 371, and two (2) control struts 372, 373.The screw assembly 370 is mounted within the housing 340 and is inmechanical communication with the control plate 371 at one end of thecontrol plate 371. The control plate 371 is pivotally affixed to a faceof the housing 340 at a second end of the control plate distal from thescrew assembly 370. At the control plate end adjacent the screw assembly370, the control plate 371 is captively engaged with the screw assembly370 threads so that as the screw is rotated in one direction the controlplate 371 pivots counterclockwise about its distal pivot point; and asthe screw is rotated in an opposite direction the control plate 371pivots clockwise about its distal pivot point. Two control struts 372,373 are pivotally attached to the control plate 371. Each control strut372, 373 extends to the distal end of separate movable angle members230, 235 where it is pivotally attached so as not to interfere withoperation of the pulleys 320, 321, 360A, 360B also attached at thedistal end of that movable angled members 230, 235. As the control plate371 pivots in a first direction, the distal ends of the movable angledmembers 230, 236 are forced to separate. As the control plate 371 pivotsin a second opposite direction, the distal ends of the movable angledmembers 230, 235 are forced to come closer to one another. The distancebetween the distal ends of the movable angled members 230, 235 is freeto change because each movable angled members 230, 235 is rotatableabout the central axis of its lower portion 231, 236. In the illustratedembodiment, a scale 380 is provided on the HSC housing 340 to indicateto approximate distance between the distal ends of the movable angledmembers 230, 235.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 8, in another embodiment of the presentinvention, voice control of the treadmill 120 and body weight supportapparatus is provided. Voice control may be of the type which requirestraining of the voice control system, or of the type which requires notraining. In the instant embodiment, voice control is implemented usingan off-the-shelf voice control module and attendant interface circuitryand hardware. Voice control has been implemented in the currentinvention to provide both gross and vernier adjustment of treadmill 120speed, treadmill 120 inclination, support cable tension, and supportcable deployed length. Voice control of support cable tension andsupport cable deployed length has been implemented in the instantinvention for individual support cables and jointly for the pair ofsupport cables.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 9, a separate embodiment of the currentinvention is shown as a single pole body weight support apparatus.

[0028] Although the present invention has been described and illustratedin detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way ofillustration and example only, and is not to be taken as a limitation.The spirit and scope of the present invention are to be limited only bythe terms of any claims presented hereafter.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0029] The present invention relates to exercise and therapeuticequipment; and more particularly, to exercise and therapeutic devicesthat support all or a portion of a person's weight for permittingtherapeutic and training sessions that would otherwise be difficult orimpossible for the subject to perform, if subject were required tosupport his or her entire weight.

1. A body weight support apparatus comprising: a frame having a baseadapted to extend under a treadmill, two fixed members and two movableangled members adapted together to extend from the base over thetreadmill; a hoist subsystem attachable to said frame and operable forpositioning a subject on the treadmill; a pneumatic spring supportsubsystem attachable to said frame and operable for providing resilientsupport to a subject on said treadmill; and an angled membersorientation control subsystem attachable to said frame and adapted tocontrol the distance between the terminal ends of said movable angledmembers.
 2. The body weight support apparatus according to claim 1further comprising a voice activated control system configured forcontrolling the hoist subsystem.
 3. The body weight support apparatusaccording to claim 1 further comprising a voice activated control systemconfigured for controlling the treadmill.
 4. The body weight supportapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the moveable angled members arepivotable about the fixed members.
 5. The body weight support apparatusaccording to claim 1 further comprising an indicator configured forproviding the distance between the terminal ends of the movable angledmembers.
 6. An exercise assembly for use in therapeutic and trainingsessions, the assembly comprising: an exercise device for providing aform of exercise thereon; a frame having at least one movable angledmember adapted to extend over the exercise device; and a controlassembly for supporting an individual on the exercise device, thecontrol assembly adapted to be coupled to the frame; wherein the atleast one movable angled member is adapted to move over the exercisedevice by the control assembly.
 7. The exercise assembly according toclaim 6, the frame further comprising at least one fixed member coupledwith the at least one movable angled member.
 8. The exercise assemblyaccording to claim 7, wherein the frame is adapted to extend under theexercise device.
 9. The exercise assembly according to claim 8, thecontrol assembly further comprising a hoist system for placing a patientover the exercise device.
 10. The exercise assembly according to claim9, the control assembly further comprising a spring support subsystemfor providing resilient support of a patient during use of the exercisedevice.
 11. The exercise assembly according to claim 10, the springsupport system further comprising a pneumatic spring for coupling withthe patient during use of the exercise device.
 12. The exercise assemblyaccording to claim 11, the spring support system further comprising ameasurement device configured to provide a pressure reading of thespring.
 13. The exercise assembly according to claim 6, the controlassembly further comprising an angled member orientation system forcontrolling the position of the at least one movable angled member overthe exercise device.
 14. The exercise assembly according to claim 6, theat least one movable angled member further comprising a pair of movableangled members.
 15. The exercise assembly according to claim 14, thecontrol assembly further comprising an angled member orientation systemfor controlling the position of the pair of movable angled members overthe exercise device.
 16. The exercise assembly according to claim 15,the angled member orientation system further comprising a screw assemblyfor positioning the pair of movable angled members.
 17. An exerciseassembly for use in therapeutic and training sessions, the assemblycomprising: an exercise device for providing a form of exercise thereon;a frame having at least one movable angled member adapted to extend overthe exercise device; a control assembly for supporting an individual onthe exercise device, the control assembly adapted to be coupled to theframe; wherein the at least one movable angled member is adapted to moveover the exercise device by the control assembly; the exercise assemblyfurther comprising at least one movable angled member further comprisinga pair of movable angled members, and the control assembly furthercomprising an indicator for indicating the distance between each distalend of the pair of movable angled members.
 18. An exercise assembly foruse in therapeutic and training sessions, the assembly comprising: anexercise device for providing a form of exercise thereon; a frame havingat least one movable angled member adapted to extend over the exercisedevice; and a control assembly for supporting an individual on theexercise device, the control assembly adapted to be coupled to theframe; wherein the at least one movable angled member is adapted to moveover the exercise device by the control assembly; and the controlassembly further comprising a voice control configured to providedadjustment of the exercise device.
 19. An exercise assembly for use intherapeutic and training sessions, the assembly comprising: an exercisedevice for providing a form of exercise thereon; a frame having at leastone movable angled member adapted to extend over the exercise device;and a control assembly for supporting an individual on the exercisedevice, the control assembly adapted to be coupled to the frame; whereinthe at least one movable angled member is adapted to move over theexercise device by the control assembly; the control assembly furthercomprising a hoist system for placing a patient over the exercisedevice; and a voice control configured to provided adjustment of thehoist system.